Police Officer Complaint & Commendation Process

A partnership between the citizens of Goddard and the Goddard Police Department is essential in maintaining public trust and the highest standard of policing for our citizens.

If you feel you have been treated improperly by an officer or employee of the department, we strongly encourage you to contact the Goddard Police Department about your complaint so that it may be fully investigated.

Complaints regarding guilt or innocence of charged offenses or crimes are matters for court system. The complaint process exists to report issues of conduct and attitude, policy and procedure, application of force, discrimination or that are criminal in nature.

How to File a Complaint/Compliment Regarding Police Conduct

To file a complaint in person, by mail, or by phone, contact the GoddardPolice Department and ask to speak with a supervisor. You will be asked to complete a written complaint regarding the incident with details of the allegations. Please follow the same process if you wish to compliment or commend an officer for their actions on a specific call.

Please be prepared to provide as much information as possible about the incident which led to your complaint/compliment, the time and date of occurrence, location, the officers name (if known) and the names and telephone numbers of any witnesses.

Results

Upon the completion of the administrative/internal affairs investigation the Chief of Police will notify you by letter of one of the following results:

Unfounded - Either the allegations are demonstrably false or there is no credible evidence to support it.

Exonerated - The allegation is true, but the action of the agency or of the employee was consistent with agency policy or appropriate procedure and techniques.

Not Sustained - Unable to verify the truth of the matters under investigation

Sustained - The allegations of the complaint were found to be true.

The letter you will receive will not disclose the specifics of any resulting disciplinary action, as this is an employment issue within the city. Corrective actions available to the Chief of Police include counseling, remedial training, reprimand, suspension, demotion and when warranted, a recommendation that the employee be terminated from the City and Police Department.